The Association of American Railroads represents North America’s freight railroads and Amtrak. Their new headquarters is a 34,000 square-foot space at 425 3rd Street, SW in Washington, D.C., and features design elements representative of their clients.

The Association of American Railroads build-out consisted of one full floor and two partial floors and included 50 offices with pristine views of the U.S. Capitol. Wood flooring, stone tops, lacquer panels, and specialty light fixtures fill the space. There is an interconnecting “floating” steel staircase between floors. From the light fixtures to the two feature walls with metal ribs that resembled railroad boxcars, the project was filled with linear items that made subtle references to trains and railroads and together created a cohesive space.

Highlighting the space are the lobby, reception, and boardroom areas, which required careful attention to detail and thorough coordination. Mock-ups and test fits were prepared to ensure the architect’s intentions were achieved and the client's vision was delivered.